Is Kismet a good place to start with Belinda Carlisle?

Yes, Kismet is recommended as a starting point for new Belinda Carlisle listeners. Bright pop melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, capturing a sense of nostalgia and self-discovery. Released on May 12, 2023, Kismet marks Belinda Carlisle's return to music after a long hiatus since her last studio album in 2019. This EP illustrates her artistic evolution, showcasing matured songwriting and production while resonating with themes of love and personal growth.

Kismet works well if you're into steady mid-tempo groove throughout, catchy melodies for sing-alongs and vibrant energy for social settings.

How many songs are on Kismet?

Kismet has 5 tracks, running approximately 18 minutes.

Kismet

Belinda Carlisle · 2023

18 min · 5 tracks · new wave

Bright pop melodies intertwine with reflective lyrics, capturing a sense of nostalgia and self-discovery.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Big Big Love Start here — This track stands out with its upbeat tempo and catchy chorus, serving as the vibrant lead single that encapsulates the EP's joyful spirit.
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If U Go — This song showcases Carlisle's ability to blend emotional vulnerability with pop sensibilities, creating a memorable narrative of longing and desire.
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Deeper Into You — With its lush instrumentation and heartfelt delivery, this track embodies the introspective core of Kismet, exploring deeper emotional connections.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

46 /100

Foothills

Higher than 10% of albums we've rated

The EP showcases solid songwriting and production but remains within familiar pop territory.

What we noticed

The first track opens with a bright synth melody that sets an upbeat tone, while the subsequent tracks gradually introduce more reflective themes.
Each song features a consistent structure of verse-chorus-verse, allowing for clear melodic hooks to emerge.
The production employs layered vocals and rich instrumentation, creating a lush soundscape that complements the lyrical content.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 6/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 5/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 2/10

Little footprint beyond its audience. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

steady mid-tempo groove throughout
catchy melodies for sing-alongs
vibrant energy for social settings
introspective moments between tracks

Maybe skip if you

prefer longer, sprawling albums
seek immediate high-energy tracks

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Late Career Highlight — Marks a return to music and showcases artistic evolution after a long hiatus.
Themes: nostalgic love· personal evolution· introspective longing
Career context: Released on May 12, 2023, Kismet marks Belinda Carlisle's return to music after a long hiatus since her last studio album in 2019. This EP illustrates her artistic evolution, showcasing matured songwriting and production while resonating with themes of love and personal growth.
Stylistic neighbors: The Go-Go's· Cyndi Lauper· Pat Benatar